Full Description
This book is the result of collaborative efforts which have taken place over the past 20 years within the COLOSS network, when the factor "bee origin" was first put into the equation of factors involved in colony losses. It aims to provide beekeepers, apicultural students, and beekeeping enthusiasts with the scientific background necessary to understand these new ideas, so that future beekeeping may be based on existing "local" bee genotypes which can then be improved by selective breeding.
The work is divided into two parts. The first section briefly tells the story of honey bees, their origins and their long association with humans, the development of bee breeding and selection and finally the scientific and anecdotal evidence that show that local bees are better for the environment and for beekeeping itself. The second part provides a practical guide to techniques for sustainable bee breeding and selection, ranging from setting up performance testing, to the cost of selection, through methods for rearing queens and making selection decisions, including many aspects related to the control of the very special mating biology of the honey bee.
Authored by an expert team of more than 30 scientists, extension specialists and beekeepers from 16 countries around the world, the present synopsis provides all theoretical and practical aspects of honey bee breeding. It is rich in figures and vivid case studies, including hands-on interviews with bee breeders and other stakeholders. Final, a supplementary video can be accessed online as well as directly from the print book; simply download the free Springer Nature More Media App and scan the link in the accompanying figure caption.
Contents
Part I. The Story of Honey Bees.- Chapter 1. Honey Bee Evolution.- Chapter 2. Honey Bees and Humans: From Honey Hunting to Bee Breeding.- Chapter 3. Beekeeping with Local Bees: Why Does It Make Sense.- Part II. A Practical Guide to Techniques for Sustainable Bee Breeding and Selection.- Chapter 4. Conserving Locally Adapted Honey Bees.- Chapter 5. Getting Ready for Field Testing Your Colonies.- Chapter 6. Field Testing Your Colonies: Criteria and Methods.- Chapter 7. Data Collection and Breeding Evaluation.- Chapter 8. Biology and Rearing of Honey Bee Queens.- Chapter 9. Drone Biology and Rearing.- Chapter 10. Keeping Your Breeding Colonies Healthy.- Chapter 11. Mating Biology.- Chapter 12. Mating Control.- Chapter 13. Instrumental Insemination of Honey Bee Queens.- Chapter 14. The Economics of Sustainable Bee Breeding.- Chapter 15. Different View Points on Honey Bee Breeding and Conservation.- Chapter 16. Sustainable Breeding: A Path Towards Resilient Beekeeping.
